Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis of District 21 has introduced Assembly Bill No. 325 for the 221st Legislative session. The bill aims to bolster the integrity of local government through mandatory ethics training.
The bill proposes amending the “Local Government Ethics Law” to mandate comprehensive training on ethical standards and relevant codes of ethics for all local government officers.
The term “local government officer” encompasses a broad spectrum, including elected officials, members of agencies with legislative or zoning powers, and managerial or confidential employees within local government entities. However, the training requirement excludes school district employees or board members.
Matsikoudis (Credits: njassemblygop.com)
The Division of Local Government Services within the Department of Community Affairs will be responsible for developing the training program. Drawing inspiration from successful models in New Jersey and other states, the program will prioritize accessibility, potentially offering semi-annual or more frequent sessions conducted by department employees or external contractors.
The Commissioner of Community Affairs will establish rules for the training, including a compliance timeline not exceeding 18 months and an acceptable structure for non-compliance, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Mondays with Michele (Credits: Asw. Michele Matsikoudis/Youtube)
This legislative initiative is a proactive response to recent high-profile ethical violations at the local level, emphasizing the need for measures to ensure ethical governance across New Jersey’s municipalities and counties.
Assemblywoman Matsikoudis’s proposal signifies a crucial stride toward reinforcing ethical conduct and accountability within local government operations. The bill sets a precedent for promoting integrity and transparency in local governance by mandating comprehensive ethics education for public officials.
